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Noise Facts and Figures! Nearly a third of people in Britain are annoyed by neighbour noise, and for 14% it has an impact on quality of life. Roughly half of noise makers claim to be unaware they are making a noise that is causing disturbance. –MORI 2003

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Noise Facts and Figures! Amplified music remains the main source of noise complaint in England, Scotland and Wales with Barking Dogs a close second.. –NSCA 06/04

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Noise Facts and Figures! Lack of communication with neighbours is thought to be a major reason for increased noise complaints by local authorities. –NSCA 06/04

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What is Noise? Unwanted sound Noise will affect different people in different ways. To one person a loud band may provide a pleasant nights entertainment. To another the same band may represent a stressful, irritating and even harmful noise.

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Noise Action Week - Aims Promotes practical solutions to everyday noise problems Promotes communication and consideration between neighbours Enables local authority etc to inform the public of services available & to highlights local noise issues

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Noise Action Week - Aims Aims to educate and inform both noise makers and noise sufferers about the impact that noise can have on our everyday lives Encourage everyone to take a quiet moment to think about the noises they make and the noises that affect them- and what they can do to reduce the impact.

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Neighbour Noise Site noisy household equipment (eg washing machines) away from partitions walls When buying new household appliances, ask how noisy it is, opt for quiet appliances Keep the volume down on TV/Music especially late at night (use headphones-but be careful not to deafen yourself) Sssh-dont shout Avoid slamming doors Avoid thundering up and down stairs

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Loud Music Keep the volume down Place speakers away from partitions walls, floors and ceilings Play at a time that will cause least disturbance to your neighbour If your having a party, tell your neighbours in advance, keep noise to a minimum Invite your neighbour

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Anti-social behaviour This is behaviour that disturbs others. Noise is generally only one element of anti-social behaviour. If you are leaving a house/pub etc Say your good byes quietly Avoid shouting/slamming doors/revving car engines/peeping horns especially at night

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Anti-social behaviour etc (Scotland) Act 2004 New anti-social behaviour laws are in place covering a wide range of issues including additional powers to deal with noise nuisance (the noise nuisance provisions are not currently enforceable within Falkirk Council) Full guidance will shortly be released detailing the implementation of this new legislation within Falkirk Council area.

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Alarms Car/Intruder Alarms accidentally going off can be very annoying Make sure alarm is regularly maintained and fitted with a cut off device

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DIY Noise Can be very noisy Consider your neighbours when you are carrying out works Let them know when you plan to carry out any noisy work, especially on party walls/floors Agree a time for work-when is likely to disturb them

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DIY Avoid drilling/banging late at night & early morning or when its likely to disturb your neighbour If you warn your neighbour in advance they are less likely to complain

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Gardening Use power tools with discretion, avoid strimming/shredding when your neighbours are relaxing in the sun shine Splashing fountains/wind chimes can be annoying at night

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What can you do when affected by neighbour noise? If you are being disturbed by your neighbours, first approach them politely- they may not realise they are causing a problem Let them know when noisy work would disturb you least If you suffer persistent noise, & personnel approach has not worked/or not possible contact Environmental Health/or Mediation Contact police

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Dog Barking A barking dog is lonely, bored or unhappy Constant barking/whining of a dog can be disturbing or annoying for neighbours The problem often occurs when the dogs owner is out of the house and so the owner doesnt know until someone complains.

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Dog Barking prevention for dog owners Dog training Do not leave dog alone for long periods Leave a radio on at low volume Feed & exercise him before you go out & leave him some fresh water Comfortable bed, toys Check room temperature not too hot/cold, adequate ventilation New anti-bark collar

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Dealing with dog barking First approach the dog owner, as they may not realise there is a problem. If this fails, or you are unhappy about approaching the owner then, Contact Environmental Health Unit for advise Contact District Council to make an application for an Order to prevent the annoyance continuing

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Hard flooring The trend towards laminated flooring has been the cause of an increasing number of noise complaints from impact noise caused by everyday activities eg footsteps/dropping objects/scraping furniture/jumping children Carefully consider the potential impact to your neighbours especially in flats/terraced houses Some leases prohibit hard floorings

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Hard flooring Make sure it will not increase noise impact Ensure any sound proofing is effective Use rugs Remove shoes

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Fireworks Can frighten pets/people and can harm hearing. Give neighbours a few days warning of your display Avoid noisy varieties Consider time of display-normally finish by 11pm Use open garden areas as noise bounces off buildings